Devils 2015-16 team discussion (player news & notes) part XV

[Davegarri]

If Tampa resigns Stamkos. We could make a play at Kucherov, price would be high but they might not be able to pay him. He is a RFA this year. Killorn is another possibility but I don't know if he ever played RW (listed as a C). Drouin will be expensive and plays on the left. Namestnikov is another but again I don't know if he can play RW (listed as a C)

If Stammer stays one of those three almost certainly has to go for cap reasons unless Yzerman pulls some wizardy and dumps other contracts.

Shero seemingly has a knack for pulling rabbits out of the hat via trade so I trust if there is a deal to be made. He will do it and it will be a win for us.

Shero does have a great history with trades, like the Goligoski for Neal+Niskanen trade. There's plenty of RFAs that teams may not be able to afford, but not many RWs or guys that can play RW. Kucherov would be awesome, but I doubt we'd be able to snag him without giving up a king's ransome. Another guy that could get some interest is Ty Rattie from Stl, decent prospect and would definitely be cheaper than a guy like Kucherov. I love Killorn too, wouldn't mind snagging him for the 3c if we got a good deal on him. It'll be a fun offseason and a fun competitive team to watch next year. I'm pretty excited about the direction we're heading and I have a lot of faith in Shero

 

[AfroThunder396]

I don't expect Santini to make the team out of camp. Defensemen in particular really benefit from a year in the pros to adjust to the speed of the game. Especially a defensive guy like Santini. I'm sure he *could* play in the NHL next year but I'd give him a year in Albany no matter what.

Cut the cord on Merrill, bring in a 2nd pairing guy via trade or UFA, and maybe he gets a cup of coffee next year.

If Wood and JQ play their game it's going to be very difficult for the coaching staff to turn them down. Wood more so could use a year of development in Albany.

 

[Devil X]

I don't expect Santini to make the team out of camp. Defensemen in particular really benefit from a year in the pros to adjust to the speed of the game. Especially a defensive guy like Santini. I'm sure he *could* play in the NHL next year but I'd give him a year in Albany no matter what.

Cut the cord on Merrill, bring in a 2nd pairing guy via trade or UFA, and maybe he gets a cup of coffee next year.

If Wood and JQ play their game it's going to be very difficult for the coaching staff to turn them down. Wood more so could use a year of development in Albany.

I agree that it normally takes Dman some time but on the other side of that i feel like college Dman tend to make the jump better then Junior players. So I believe Santini could make the jump.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Sucks for Bouch and Blender, but I'm still so happy to watch Zacha, Wood, and Santini that I don't care too much. Zacha and Elias together too!

It's happening!!

 

[NJDevs26]

Boucher and Blandisi are gonna play more soon enough anyway.

Chere left out the d-pairings unfortunately

 

[Devils Dominion]

I'd prefer to see Bouch & Blender in tonight and Ruutu/Kennedy out, but, it could be that they have some bumps/bruises and Shero wants them healthy for the Albany playoffs.

 

[RSeen]

I'd prefer to see Bouch & Blender in tonight and Ruutu/Kennedy out, but, it could be that they have some bumps/bruises and Shero wants them healthy for the Albany playoffs.

I don't mind Blender out so much but I think Boucher should be in. No reason to play Ruutu at this point.

 

[Devils Dominion]

I don't mind Blender out so much but I think Boucher should be in. No reason to play Ruutu at this point.

Sure but like I said, he could be banged up or under the weather.
He will get to play with Albany next week and into the playoffs.

Ray/Hynes could also be giving this game to Ruutu since it will be his last in the NHL.

 

[NJDevs26]

I don't mind Blender out so much but I think Boucher should be in. No reason to play Ruutu at this point.

It could actually be Ruutu's last NHL game and I'm not even kidding

Ray/Hynes could also be giving this game to Ruutu since it will be his last in the NHL.

Well it won't definitely be his last - I'm sure he'll try and hook on somewhere Zubrus style - but it should be.

 

[SeidoN]

apparently Santini is being paired with Schlemko. thats a smart pair if you ask me

 

[RSeen]

It could actually be Ruutu's last NHL game and I'm not even kidding



Well it won't definitely be his last - I'm sure he'll try and hook on somewhere Zubrus style - but it should be.

I would bet pretty good money that Ruutu is done in the league after this game. Can't see anyone giving him even a tryout.

 

[NJDevs26]

I would bet pretty good money that Ruutu is done in the league after this game. Can't see anyone giving him even a tryout.

I could picture Carolina giving him a PTO but that's about it.

 

[R8Devs]

Yea it might be ruutus last game so it'd be a sort of dick move not to play him. Although the lineup they're sending out makes it look like they are trying lose lol

 

[Belizarius]

I'd prefer to see Bouch & Blender in tonight and Ruutu/Kennedy out, but, it could be that they have some bumps/bruises and Shero wants them healthy for the Albany playoffs.

Agreed on the Ruutu/Kennedy part.
But you're probably right for the rest.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Yea it might be ruutus last game so it'd be a sort of dick move not to play him. Although the lineup they're sending out makes it look like they are trying lose lol

I thought there was an anti-tanking policy on HF? The Toronto GDT is all about tanking.

Figures from a franchise that hasn't won anything in half a century.

 

[NJDevs26]

I thought there was an anti-tanking policy on HF?
The Toronto board is all about tanking.

Figures from a franchise that hasn't won anything in half a century.

There's anti-tanking in game threads and generally team threads. Making a sarcastic comment about the team throwing out a tanking lineup isn't endorsing it though

 

[Devils Dominion]

There's anti-tanking in game threads and generally team threads. Making a sarcastic comment about the team throwing out a tanking lineup isn't endorsing it though

My post was directed at the Leafs GDT, not the comment in our thread.

 

[The Wumpus]

I didn't realize how ice-cold Blandisi has been. 0g 5a in his last 23 games. The rookie wall is a pretty standard thing. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back after a summer of training.

 

[NJDevs26]

My post was directed at the Leafs GDT, not the comment in our thread.

Well to a degree every board's different in what they allow and don't. Considering the #1 lottery position's on the line for them (and their own management's publicly embraced tanking for a year and a half) I guess the horse is out of the barn there though.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I thought there was an anti-tanking policy on HF? The Toronto GDT is all about tanking.

Figures from a franchise that hasn't won anything in half a century.

Some boards don't take as hard a line about it as we do. I and I don't think our other mods would tolerate a tank thread like that here (but we also have never been that bad).

Buffalo and oilers board have embraced their tanks over the years too. Just a case by case thing.

I think we have some Lou left in us that we prefer to just play the stretch out and win even meaningless games than drool about lotto picks.

Tonight is a good example. A win could jump us back two draft spots but I think most agree it's most important to play this game right for Patty (just in case) and for the new kids to have a solid and potentially winning effort.

 

[OmNomNom]

not a bad article by chere w a few quotes from wood and santini. http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/...ni_and_miles_wood_but.html#incart_river_index

 

[Devils Dominion]

Players are giving fans their jerseys.

First class.

 

[Scorcho]

Players are giving fans their jerseys.

First class.

I love this team
and I love how much the players personalities are shining through in the absence of lou

 

[RSeen]

I don't anticipate us adding a center or LW. Could still use 1 more top 6 RW. I would expect DSP to be pencilled in into the 3rd line role. Not sure what other moves we would make in the offseason.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I don't anticipate us adding a center or LW. Could still use 1 more top 6 RW. I would expect DSP to be pencilled in into the 3rd line role. Not sure what other moves we would make in the offseason.

I expect Shero to go hard for another RW and outside of giving Kyle a new contract and cutting the cord on the scrap heap. I don't expect much else.

Some PTOs around camp. Maybe another Tlusty type signing.

I think he sees what a healthy Camm, full years of the killer B's and the potential addition of Zacha does for the team. Along with hopefully a new long term RW as Kyle is all we have in a top 6 role.